[Fate of C-14 labeled hydroxyethyl starch in mice]

Three preparations of hydroxyethyl starch having MS 0.55, 0.65 and 0.8 respectively and labelled with 14C in hydroxyethyl residue were administered to mice. After 1, 5, 10, 20 and 60 days the mice were sacrificed and radioactivities determined in the following organs and tissues: blood, spleen, liver, kidneys, heart, lungs and muscles. Most of the initial dose of radioactivity was eliminated from mice within 24 h. The remaining portion was eliminated slowly and even after 60 days 0 07--1.2% of the initial dose could be detected in different organs. The rate of clearance of radioactivity was fastest for hydroxyethyl starch with MS = 0.55 and slowest for the preparation with MS = 0.8. The retention of radioactivity was most conspicous in the muscles.